50millionpounds.com

Dr. Ian Smith, physician, journalist and well-known author of The Fat Smash Diet is teaming up with State Farm Insurance Company to issue a 50 million pound weight loss challenge to African Americans. To help reach this ambitious goal, participants across the country will get information and tools to take off the pounds, receive and give encouragement, as well as track progress.

Being overweight is one of our nation’s top health problems, increasing the risk of life-threatening but preventable illness for more than 135 million Americans.

This is a concern for everyone, but the African-American community has been hit particularly hard. Far too many African Americans are dying from diseases that are completely preventable. Every person in the community knows someone -- a father, mother, aunt or child -- who suffers from physical diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke or heart disease.

The aim is to save lives by changing the lifestyle choices we make. We want people to give up the pounds, not give up the fight.

We officially launched The Challenge in early April 2007 and held an event in Washington, DC on April 7 to kick off a 14-city tour across the nation. These tour stops will give people a chance to learn more about The Challenge, sign up, have their health checked and meet Dr. Ian personally.
The process is simple. You can officially sign up, find encouragement and track your progress within this website. To get a free Challenge Kit, locate a participating State Farm Agent.

What counts is taking weight-loss action – we encourage people to do this through the plan they’re currently on (if they’re happy and successful) or by following tips on this Web site and in The Challenge Kit.

Below are just a few of the many things we hope participants can accomplish through The Challenge:
Shed excess pounds, achieve healthier weights, and reduce the risk for life-threatening diseasesUnite as a community and pool strength and resources to overcome the health problems that afflict us.Learn more about our bodies and how to live healthier and longer livesTeach youth the importance of making healthy lifestyle decisions that will benefit them for years to come.